Spiced mother-in-law tongues are a crunchy and irresistible Piedmontese recipe, perfect as an appetizer, aperitif or homemade snack.
Spiced mother-in-law tongues are one of the most loved specialties of Piedmontese tradition, born in the heart of Piedmont and now appreciated throughout Italy for their simplicity and unique crunchiness.
This typical recipe has its roots in peasant culture, where a few genuine ingredients gave rise to fragrant and tasty preparations, perfect for sharing at the table.
Known also as a thin, elongated variant of grissini, mother-in-law tongues resemble truly crunchy pizza tongues, hand-stretched and irregular in shape.
Their imperfection makes them authentic and rustic, ideal for those who love homemade baked goods.
In the classic version rosemary is used on the surface, giving fragrance and character. In this variant, however, I chose to add oregano directly into the dough, a personal choice that gives a more pervasive and enveloping aroma to every bite while remaining faithful to the spirit of the original recipe.
The preparation calls for a thin dough, worked and stretched by hand, then finished with a rolling pin to achieve a uniform thickness.
This step is essential to ensure even baking and a perfectly crunchy texture.
Although my mother-in-law tongues are slightly less thin than the traditional version, the result is still fragrant and irresistible.
Perfect as a tasty appetizer, for a homemade aperitif served with cured meats and cheeses or to enjoy alone as a crunchy snack, these spiced mother-in-law tongues will win over anyone who loves grissini, crispy flatbreads and thin pizzettes.
If you are looking for an easy, quick recipe with an authentic flavor, this version will surprise you.
Because tradition is important in the kitchen, but a personal touch always makes the difference.
Approx. 338 kcal per piece
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Budget-friendly
- Rest time: 2 Hours
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 6 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Electric oven
- Cuisine: Regional Italian
- Region: Piedmont
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients to make Spiced Mother-in-Law Tongues
- cups type 0 flour (about 400 g)
- cup water (about 200 ml)
- 1 tablespoon salt (about 15 g)
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- oz fresh baker's yeast (about 4 g)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Tools
- 1 Non-stick baking sheet non-stick oven baking pan
Preparation of Spiced Mother-in-Law Tongues
Put the water in a bowl, add the yeast and let it dissolve, then add the oil, the dried oregano and mix well.
Finally add the flour and mix again, then work the dough with your hands in the bowl until you obtain a homogeneous ball.
Cover the bowl with the worked dough, let it rise for 1 1/2 hours, then once risen transfer the dough to a work surface and form 6 equal balls.
Let rest at least 30 minutes, then roll out each ball into long, not too wide tongues (refer to the photo).
Place the mother-in-law tongues on a greased baking sheet, then brush with extra virgin olive oil, let rest about 20 minutes (the time it takes the oven to heat up) and bake at 428°F for 12-15 minutes until golden.
Cooking time can also vary depending on the thickness of the tongues, so check during baking.

